(CNN) -- The MD-82 model plane which crashed in Madrid Wednesday killing 'most' of the 172 people onboard has been the workhorse of many U.S. carriers for years, CNN Aviation Correspondent Richard Quest says.

Quest said the MD-80 series was a medium-sized, twin-engined plane with a center aisle and was favored by U.S. airlines.

He said the crashed plane was mostly likely built in 1993 and joined the Spanair fleet in 1999. It was not considered old for such a model, of which about 1,200 had been built in the series.

Quest said Madrid's Barajas Airport had a good reputation, with the main runway, where the plane crashed, considered very long by international standards. Watch smoke rising from airport »

Spanair, itself, was founded in 1986 and predominantly operates domestic flights but also flies to other European countries with its fleet of 65 aircraft.

The low-cost airline, owned by Scandinavian carrier SAS, is second only to Iberia in the Spanish market.